How to identify Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

How to identify Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

Ohio buckeye, also known as American buckeye

Ohio buckeye is a deciduous tree that typically stands at a height of 20-40 feet (6-12 meters), with instances reaching up to 75 feet (23 meters). Its low-branching habit supports corky gray bark and leaves that display a range of fall colors, predominantly yellow, alongside hints of orange and red. Uniquely, the flowers, bark, and stems emit a notable odor when crushed. The tree also features a taproot, a structure making it challenging to relocate once established.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Ohio buckeye

Distinct Corky Gray Bark

Flowers with Longer Stamens

Seeds with Pale 'Buck's Eye' Scar

Smooth, Veined Leaflets

Robust, Fissured Stem with Unpleasant Odor

Detailed Traits of Ohio buckeye

Leaf Features

The leaves of ohio buckeye consist of 5-7 smooth leaflets that lack any hairs. Each leaflet is generally obovate or lanceolate, measuring approximately 3-8 inches (7.5-20 cm) in length and 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) in width. The leaflets are arranged in a palmate pattern, radiating from a central point. The edges are finely serrated, and the surface is deep green with prominent veins that branch out from the center. These characteristics make the leaves distinctive and easily identifiable.

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Flower Features

The flowers of ohio buckeye bloom in May, exhibiting a yellow-green hue. They are arranged in terminal clusters, each flower having four petals. The stamens are distinctively longer than the petals, a key identifying feature. The flowers are not particularly large, typically measuring about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter. These blooms do not emit a strong scent, focusing mainly on visual appeal. Their unique form and color are significant identifiers in their natural habitat.

Inflorescence Type

Panicle

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Stem Features

The stem of ohio buckeye is robust, typically dark brown or grayish in color. It possesses a coarse, fissured texture, which becomes more pronounced with age. The stems are generally thick, measuring around 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter, and exhibit a somewhat irregular branching pattern. A distinguishing feature is the presence of an unpleasant aroma when crushed or cut. The bark is slightly wrinkled and may have visible lenticels, adding to its rough texture.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of ohio buckeye is encased in a warty or prickly, leathery capsule that may hold one to three seeds. These polished brown seeds are noteworthy for their pale scar, known as the "buck's eye", which is a distinctive identification feature. The texture and appearance of the capsule contribute to its unique identification, while the contrasting pale scar on the otherwise shiny seeds provides a visual cue that is easily recognizable.

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Ohio buckeye and Their Similar Plants

Horse Chestnut vs. Ohio buckeye: What's The Difference?

The horse Chestnut was the tree that Anne Frank mentioned in her diary. While the original tree fell down in 2010, there have been new trees planted around the world from the original seeds. Horse Chestnut 's seeds resemble chestnuts, but they are inedible and toxic.

Red buckeye vs. Ohio buckeye: What's The Difference?

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a flowering plant native to the midwestern and southern United States. Red buckeye is also called the firecracker plant. This plant attracts bees, and its seeds are poisonous. The red buckeye can be used to make soap.

Yellow Buckeye vs. Ohio buckeye: What's The Difference?

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) is a tree species native to the eastern United States. It grows in forests and floodplains in acidic soils. Due to its yellow flowers, yellow Buckeye is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree.

Bottlebrush buckeye vs. Ohio buckeye: What's The Difference?

Bottlebrush buckeye is a deciduous shrub that is recognized as one of the greatest summer-flowering shrubs. It features multiple stems, dense foliage, and upright, spectacular white flowers with crimson and rosy stamens, which captivate hummingbirds and butterflies. This tree is ideal to grow as a point of focus in the garden or landscape.

California buckeye vs. Ohio buckeye: What's The Difference?

California buckeye (*Aesculus californica*) is a North American shrub also called the California Horse-chestnut. This is a small tree or a large shrub in the Sapindaceae family that is native to California. It is the only buckeye that is native to the Golden State.

Painted buckeye vs. Ohio buckeye: What's The Difference?

Aesculus sylvatica is a species of shrub. The species has five leaflets that are 11 to 15 cm long and 4 to 6 cm wide. The flowers are yellow and occasionally have red also.

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Key Facts About Ohio buckeye

Attributes of Ohio buckeye

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

15 m to 25 m

Spread

6 m to 12 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2 cm to 3 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Orange

Fruit Color

Brown

White

Stem Color

Brown

Green

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Ohio buckeye

Slightly Toxic to Humans

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Ohio buckeye

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Maples, mangos, mahogany, citrus, and allies

Family

Soapberry

Genus

Buckeye

Species

Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

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Distribution Map of Ohio buckeye

Ohio buckeye is native to the central and eastern US and Canada, growing on moist stream banks and bottomlands. It is often planted for ornamental use and cultivated for its lumber. It is considered an invasive species in Oregon.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Ohio buckeye How to Grow and Care for Ohio buckeye